You may purchase either 1 full table or 1 half table.

If you apply for a full table, there will be an option on the application to accept a half table if there are no full tables remaining at the time of selection.

You are entitled to up to 2 Artist Alley badges. Whether you use the second badge to share your table with another artist, or use it to bring a helper is completely up to you.

In either case, however, you will need to provide us with the identity of the other person. You can do this either on your application or in your payment portal. 

Please note that as the primary table holder, you are responsible for the other person’s conduct. If they do something that could result in disciplinary action (e.g. a ban), it is you who that action will be taken against as the table is under your name.

You may not sublet or sell your table to anyone else.

A panel of judges assess the applicant’s submitted pieces for:

• Relevance
  Is the style and subject matter of the artwork related to anime, video games, or Japanese pop culture, OR does it strongly cater to Otafest attendees?
• Uniqueness
  Does the artwork have a unique style? Does the artwork contain underrepresented subject matter? How many other applicants are providing very similar content?
• Execution
  Is there a high level of consideration and effort behind the artwork? Does the artwork showcase technical proficiency and craft?
  
• Durability (if selling physical items beyond prints)
  Is the artwork durable and high quality? Will the build materials last or do they look like they will break/warp/deform soon after purchase?
• Quantity of Samples
  Were enough pieces submitted in the application for the jury to feel confident in their assessment?  Were samples high enough resolution for a good evaluation? Was the applicant able to follow the instructions?

Successful applicants will receive payment deadlines and specific details on how to pay in their acceptance e-mail. Otafest only accepts online payments via credit card. Please note that a service fee of 2.9% + $0.30 will be levied.

“Proxy selling” refers to selling the works of another person who is not present with their permission.

Due to the abuse of the privilege in previous years, proxy selling is no longer permitted at Otafest. All sold works must be produced by the artist(s) present at the table.

The hall will be available to you on Thursday evening and Friday morning for setup. Please see the schedule for specific times.

Before setting up, you must check in with Otafest staff at the Exhibitor Relations booth to pick up your Artist Alley badge(s). Please wear your badge for the duration of your setup as well as during the days of the festival. Due to the risk of theft, Otafest does not permit anyone without a badge into the Exhibitor Hall, whether it be during setup or show hours.

Any helpers you have, including just for setup, will require a badge. No exceptions. Please understand that this is to prevent merchandise theft for all artists and vendors. If you see someone in the hall without a badge, please inform the staff at the Exhibitor Relations booth.

Artists will bring in their materials through the hall’s main doors. There is an elevator from the main floor for your convenience. Tables in the hall will be labeled by number. Please note that artists do not have access to the loading dock for setup unless specifically requested and approved.

If you require access to the loading dock, please notify us by March 31. Please note that this requires Otafest’s and the venue’s approval, and will involve a materials handling fee.

You can sell original art pieces in various media, created by yourself, so long as it does not violate any laws (including copyright laws) or Otafest Festival Policies.

• You must abide by licensing and copyright laws. The sale of illegal merchandise is also prohibited.
• You may not sell AI-generated art. This is defined as artwork generated via the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, or similar algorithms.
• The sale of weapons and/or props resembling realistic weapons is prohibited at Otafest. Props that abide by Otafest’s Festival Policies may be sold.
• The sale of mystery containers is prohibited at Otafest. A “mystery container” is defined as a bag, box, or container whose exact contents are unknown to the purchaser until after the purchase has been made. Due to several issues arising in prior years regarding the quality of items included in mystery containers, Otafest no longer allows their sale.
  By contrast, you may sell “Blind Boxes”, defined as different toys from the same collection contained in a sealed box.
• The sale of food and drink is prohibited unless authorization has been granted from Otafest and Marriott Catering Services. A Food and Beverage Authorization Request Form must be filled out and approved by Otafest and the venue. If you intend on selling food or drink, please inform the Artist Alley team once your application has been accepted. The sale of regular sized Pocky, Hi-Chew Fruit Chews, and flavored KitKat bars has already been approved for all Exhibitors.
• The sale of Otafest branded merchandise, mascot characters, logos, or other Otafest trademarks is prohibited unless you have received prior approval in writing from Otafest.
• The sale of adult materials is permitted, however such items may not be sold to minors, nor can they be placed somewhere such that a minor could see it on display. It is your responsibility to ensure that the customer is of legal age prior to purchase.

Please let the Artist Alley team know if you need any clarification.

If you wish to include a charged raffle or draw (i.e. where people have to pay to enter), then you must obtain a raffle license from the Government of Alberta and notify Otafest with proof of that license. Otafest must also approve the raffle.

Please refer to the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis website for details on license requirements.

Otafest reserves the right to remove unlawful or unauthorized raffles or draws during the event.

Artists who do not make it through the application process are all automatically be added to the waitlist.

The Fire Sale list is an additional list that artists can opt into if they would like to be contacted at the last minute if there are no-show artists or last-minute cancellations. This list is best suited for artists who are ready to set up their table on short notice.

Depending on how close to the event you apply to cancel, different policies will govern whether you get a refund, and for how much. Please see the policy on the application form  (or in your application confirmation email) for specific details.

Sorry, no. Artist tables are limited to a maximum of the 2 already-included badges.

Kurtis.

Blue.

Yes, and he definitely isn’t here as I’m writing this. Hovering. Looming. Waiting for his chance to strik-

Y̸͉͌͋e̸͍̣͗ș̸̏̃ ̶͎̉̂ḧ̸̦̕u̵͚̩̒̄m̸̧̆̈́à̷͇̋n̵̜̗̏,̵̟͒͝ ̵̥̤̒ḧ̶̗́ē̵͕ ̶̳̓͛͜î̶̙͝s̷̻̬͂́ ̸͔͕̿̐v̶̭̱̅̚e̸̪̗͆r̷͚̓͗ÿ̷̡́ ̷͇̖̈́k̶̙̿̓i̵̲̙͠n̷̤͉̆d̸̙̿̃.̸̡̟̅